Wiper blade with cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for windshield wiper blades having an elongate body with a central collar and first and second elongate portions extending from the central collar. The first and second elongate portions having outer ends, and the central collar defining an interior passageway having a snap-fit tongue. A channel is disposed along each of the first and second elongate portions extending from the central collar towards the outer ends; and an end retainer or other securing mechanism is located at the outer ends. Also, windshield wiper blades incorporating such covers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/928,467, filed on Oct. 30, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/587,389 filed on Aug. 16, 2012, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/524,145 filed Aug. 16,2011 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/561,098 filed Nov. 17, 2011and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/572,100 filed Aug. 10, 2012 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/522,091 filed Aug. 10, 2011 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/560,977 filed Nov. 17, 2011 and is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/453,601filed Apr. 23, 2012 which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/477,908 filed Apr. 21, 2011. The disclosures of eachof the aforementioned are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of windshield wiper blades having acovered portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basic windshield wipers used on vehicles have a blade portion thatcontacts the windshield, a frame that supports the wiper strip, and aconnection device for attaching the blade to a wiper arm. Presently,three principle styles of windshield wipers are in wide-scale use. Thefirst style is the traditional frame windshield wiper, which implementsa multi-piece frame that is directly connected to the wiper arm. Thesecond style is the beam blade windshield wiper, which has a unitarybeam that supports the wiper blade and is directly connected to thewiper arm. Wiper blades of this type are described in U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/477,908, which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. The third style is the hybrid blade windshield wiper,which combines the multi-piece frame and the unitary beam frame. Wiperblades of this type are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2010/0236008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

One problem common among many windshield wipers is a tendency toseparate from the windshield during use, thus resulting in an uneven orinconsistent clearing of the windshield. This happens when a windshieldwiper encounters a vehicle's slipstream and downward force on the wiperblade is overcome by wind lift created by the wiper blade. The wind liftproblem has been known in the wiper field for decades, and many attemptshave been made to resolve it. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,056,991,3,317,945, 3,879,793, 3,942,212, 6,292,974, 6,944,905, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

To minimize the wind lift problem, covers that create desiredaerodynamic characteristics are added to the top of windshield wipers.Beam blade and hybrid blade windshield wipers generally incorporatethree or more deflectors or covers. Specifically, a first cover isprovided between one end of the windshield wiper and the centralconnection device. A second cover is provided between the other end ofthe windshield wiper and the central connection device. And a thirdcover is provided over the central connection device.

Despite the significant performance, aerodynamic and aestheticimprovements created by the use of covers, these windshield wipers stillhave significant shortcomings. One significant problem is that the useof covers increases the material and assembly costs for each windshieldwiper. Another problem is that covers are prone to unwanted separationor detachment from the windshield wiper. Separation often occurs whenthe vehicle is moving through inclement weather and as a result coversare frequently lost. Once a cover is lost, the performance and aestheticqualities of the windshield wiper are significantly impaired.

Yet another problem with windshield wipers, and in particular windshieldwipers with covers, is that covers can result in high profile orinterrupted profile regions. Such regions can create aerodynamicturbulence or vortices that result in wind noise. This occurs as windcontacts any high profile or interrupted profile regions of the coveredwindshield wiper. The wind noise created from wiper blades encounteringthe slip stream is distracting and makes for a less comfortable overalldriving experience. Reduction of such wind noise is therefore a constantconcern associated with wiper blade design.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems of prior windshield wipers are resolved or atleast substantially reduced and a technical advance is achieved in awindshield wiper that reduces or eliminates windshield wiper coverseparation, high profile or interrupted profile regions.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a windshield wiperhaving an elongate cover with an elastomeric region and a central collaris provided. The central collar is mounted over a mounting base, orother connection device of the windshield wiper. In addition, theelongate cover is provided with attachment mechanisms at its ends tosecure the ends to corresponding ends of the windshield wiper.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a windshieldwiper having aerodynamically contoured cover with an elastomeric regionand an aerodynamically contoured central collar is provided. The centralcollar is mounted over a mounting base, or other connection device ofthe windshield wiper. In addition, the aerodynamically contoured coveris provided with contoured attachment mechanisms at its ends to securethe ends to corresponding ends of the windshield wiper.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, awindshield wiper having a cover defining a substantially planar upperregion and rectilinear seams connecting the upper region to a planarskirt. The cover is further provided with an elastomeric region and acentral collar. The central collar is mounted over a mounting base, orother connection device of the windshield wiper. In addition, the coveris provided with chop attachment mechanisms at its ends to secure theends to corresponding ends of the windshield wiper.

Exemplary embodiments of windshield wipers having an elongate cover witha central collar are attached hereto as examples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a first embodiment of awindshield wiper having an elongate windshield wiper cover according toone aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of a first embodiment of awindshield wiper having an elongate windshield wiper cover illustratedwithout a wiper strip according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective side view of a first embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a first embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway perspective bottom view of a firstembodiment of an elongate windshield wiper cover having a collaraccording to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cutaway perspective bottom view of a firstembodiment of an elongate windshield wiper cover end according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a windshieldwiper having an elongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section side view of a first embodiment of awindshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a windshieldwiper having an elongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section side view of a first embodiment ofan elongate windshield wiper according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a first embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of a first embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective side view of a second embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cutaway side view of a second embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a cutaway top view of a second embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom view of a second embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a cutaway bottom view of a second embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a second embodiment ofan elongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a cutaway perspective bottom view of a secondembodiment of an elongate windshield wiper cover end according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective front view of a third embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of an elongatewindshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a cutaway side view of a third embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a cutaway top view of a third embodiment of awindshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a third embodiment ofa windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a third embodiment of awindshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a third embodiment of ahybrid windshield wiper according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 29 illustrates a perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a fourth embodiment ofan elongate windshield wiper according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a fourth embodiment ofan elongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of anelongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a cutaway perspective bottom view of a fourthembodiment of an elongate windshield wiper cover end according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 34 illustrates a side view of a fourth embodiment of a windshieldwiper having an elongate windshield wiper cover according to one aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 35 illustrates a cross-section side view of a fourth embodiment ofa windshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 36 illustrates a cutaway perspective side view of a fourthembodiment of a windshield wiper having a collar according to one aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates a cutaway perspective bottom view of a fourthembodiment of a windshield wiper cover end according to one aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates a side view of a fourth embodiment of a windshieldwiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a cross-section side view of a fourth embodiment ofa windshield wiper according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 40 illustrates a top view of a fourth embodiment of a windshieldwiper according to one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 41 illustrates a bottom view of a fourth embodiment of a windshieldwiper according to one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and the appended drawings describeand illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention solely for thepurpose of enabling one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to makeand use the invention. As such, the detailed description andillustration of these embodiments are purely exemplary in nature and arein no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, or itsprotection, in any manner. It should also be understood that thedrawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have beenomitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the presentinvention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.

Referring to the drawings in general, a wiper blade 10 includes a cover22, a wiper frame assembly 16, a wiper strip 48, mounting base, or otherconnection device 14, and a raised portion 60. At a central region ofcover 22, an integrated collar 36 defines a passageway for receiving themounting base or other connection device 14. Collar 36 may also hasrecesses 114 or projections 110 for securing the collar to mountingbase, or other connection device 14. The mounting base or otherconnection device 14, in turn, may secure the wiper blade to a connector126 anchor adapter and driver arm (not shown) that actuates the wiperblade. Alternatively a connection device 14 may be designed to connectdirectly to a driver arm. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, cover 22 is alsoprovided with end retainers 78. End retainers 78 are used to securecover ends 26 to the wiper assembly frame 16. As shown in FIGS. 11-12and 40-41, cover 22 forms a contiguous outer edge or perimeter 56 formedby front edge 32, left end 40, rear edge 34, and right end 36.

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a low profile embodiment of a wiper blade having awiper cover with a central collar. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1,windshield wiper 10 has an elongate windshield wiper cover 22 thatextends along a longitudinal axis 52. Between each end 26 and collar 36,the upper surface of cover 22 is cambered along its width, therebyreducing or limiting the formation of air vortices, as best illustratedin FIGS. 2, 3 and 7. Further, the cambered surface gently extendsupwardly from a relatively low profile at the ends 26 to a steep upwardslope 112 at collar 36.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate collar 36, which is located at an approximatemidpoint between ends 26. In general, collar 36 has a rectangularexterior surface with curvilinear contours that limit the formation ofwind vortices. Collar 36 forms an interior passageway 42, which receivesmounting base or other connection device 14 during assembly of thewindshield wiper. In addition, the interior perimeter of collar 36 isprovided with a permanent locking cantilevered snap-fit mechanism topartially secure cover 22 to the windshield wiper frame assembly 16.More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, catches 110 may be designed toengage corresponding slots, recesses, or locators on mounting base orother connection device 14 (FIG. 1). Locators 114 may likewise beprovided on the interior perimeter of collar 36 to receive catches frommounting base or other connection device 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 16.This snap-fit securing mechanism establishes a close fitting,semi-permanent and durable connection between collar 36 and mountingbase or other connection device 14.

Cover 22 may also be attached to wiper frame assembly 16 at cover ends26 using an end securing mechanism 78. As illustrated in FIG. 6, ends 26are provided with cantilevered snap fit ends 130 to secure the ends ofcover 22 to the wiper frame assembly and limit axial movement of thewiper frame assembly. In addition, cover 22 is stretch-fit and frictionfit over the ends of the wiper frame assembly 16. That is, because cover22 is formed from a polymeric, axially elastomeric material, it can bestretched axially and released over the ends of the wiper frameassembly. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that additional endsecuring mechanisms, including without limitation dovetails, or extendedclaws along the entire perimeter of the assembly, or any other suitablemethod may also be used.

Cover 22 is also attached to wiper frame assembly 16 by longitudinalgrooves 102 provided on an interior portion of the wiper cover, asillustrated in FIG. 6. Grooves 102 are formed by parallel rails 104,which are disposed axially along longitudinal axis 52. During assembly,the longitudinal edges of the elongate beam 11 of the wiper frameassembly are mated in a friction fit relationship with longitudinalgrooves 102, thus preventing or limiting separation of cover 22 from thewiper frame assembly. The parallel rails 104 may have rail ends 122which stop before reaching the ends of the cover 26, thereby leaving agap between the rail ends 122 and the end retainers 78.

Accordingly, as discussed above, cover 22 is secured to the windshieldwiper frame assembly 16 at or along three principle sections of thewindshield wiper blade to avoid inadvertent detachment of the cover fromthe wiper frame assembly during use. These attachment sections arebetween the collar and the mounting base or other connecting device;between the ends of the cover and the ends of the beam or wiper bladeframe assembly; and along the axial axis of the cover and the wiperframe assembly.

FIGS. 13-21 illustrate a second embodiment of a wiper blade having awiper cover 22 with a central collar 36 and a wind deflector 60. A steepupward slope 112 joins collar 36 to wind deflector 60. Slope 112 reducesthe formation of noisy wind vortices during operation. Wind deflector 60is disposed along a central portion of the longitudinal axis of cover22. In addition, wind deflector 60 includes a sloped region 128 isprovided to reduce the size of wind deflector 60 at approximately end26. As illustrated in FIG. 16, wind deflector 60 forms substantiallysimilar sides 128. As best shown in FIG. 13, sides 128 are provided withchamfers 132 that are joined at seams 94 to a skirt 90. The securingmechanism of cover 22 is substantially identical to that of theembodiment described in detail above.

FIGS. 22-28 illustrate a third embodiment of a wiper blade having awiper cover with a central collar. As best illustrated in FIG. 22, thewind deflector 60 is offset from a central, longitudinal axis of cover22. The offset wind deflector defines a windward surface 68 thatprovides a downward force on the wiper blade when in use. The downwardforce limits separation of the wiper strip from the window duringoperation. As in previously discussed embodiments, a steep upward slope112 in collar 36 limits the formation of noisy wind vortices. Thesecuring mechanism of cover 22 is substantially identical to that of theembodiment described in detail above, though again other securingmechanism known in the art may also be used.

FIGS. 29-41 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a wiper blade having awiper cover 22 with a central collar 36. Wiper cover 22 has asubstantially planar skirt 90 that is joined to a planar upper surface140. Skirt 90 forms the exterior perimeter of cover 22. In addition,chamfers 132 are provided to reduce or limit the formation of noisy airvortices. Steep upward slope 112 is also provided to reduce or limit theformation of noisy air vortices. The securing mechanism of cover 22 issubstantially identical to that of the embodiment described in detailabove.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded asillustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it isthe following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended todefine the spirit and scope of this invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wiper blade comprising: an elongate beamwith outer ends; a connection device, and a wiper strip connected to theelongate beam; a monolithic elongate cover comprising an integratedcentral collar, first and second elongate portions extending from thecentral collar, the first and second elongate portions having outer endscorresponding with the elongate beam outer ends, a first securing devicefor securing the central collar to the connection device, and an endsecuring mechanism for securing the outer ends of the cover to the outerends of the elongate beam, a portion of the end securing mechanismextending laterally and inwardly to define a protrusion, the protrusionbeginning at a first distance near, but longitudinally separated fromthe outer end, and ending at a second distance near, but longitudinallyseparated from the other outer end.
 2. The wiper blade of claim 1wherein the monolithic elongate cover further comprises a winddeflector.
 3. The wiper blade of claim 1, further comprising a firstslope connecting the integrated central collar to the first elongateportion and a second slope connecting the central collar to the secondelongate portion.
 4. The wiper blade of claim 3, wherein the firstsecuring device comprises a tongue configured to snap-fit into a recessdefined by the connection device.
 5. The wiper blade of claim 3, whereinthe first and second elongate portions comprise an elastomeric region.6. The wiper blade of claim 1, wherein the integrated central collardefines an interior passageway, the interior passageway having asnap-fit tongue.
 7. The wiper blade of claim 1, further comprising apair of substantially parallel longitudinal rails disposed along aninner surface of each of the first and second elongate portion, each ofthe rails extending from the integrated collar to the outer ends, thepair of rails defining a channel therebetween, the channel dimensionedto receive the elongate beam and secure the first and second elongateportions to the beam, the outer ends enclosing the respective ends ofthe channel.
 8. A windshield wiper cover comprising: a monolithicelongate body comprising an integrated central collar, first and secondelongate portions extending from the integrated central collar, thefirst and second elongate portions having outer ends, and an endretainer defined at the outer ends a portion of which extendinglaterally and inwardly to define a protrusion, the protrusion beginningat a first distance near, but longitudinally separated from the outerend, and ending at a second distance near, but longitudinally separatedfrom the other outer end.
 9. The windshield wiper cover of claim 8,wherein the integrated central collar defines an interior passageway,the interior passageway having a snap-fit tongue.
 10. The windshieldwiper cover of claim 8, further comprising a pair of substantiallyparallel longitudinal rails disposed along an inner surface of each ofthe first and second elongate portions, each of the rails extending fromthe integrated central collar to the outer ends, the pair of railsdefining a channel therebetween, the channel dimensioned to receive anelongate beam, the outer ends enclosing respective ends of the channel.11. The windshield wiper cover of claim 8, further comprising a winddeflector disposed along the first and second elongate portions.
 12. Thewindshield wiper cover of claim 11, wherein the wind deflector defines awindward side having a first surface area and a leeward side having asecond surface area, and wherein the first surface area is greater thanthe second surface area.
 13. The windshield wiper cover of claim 11,wherein the wind deflector defines a perimeter, the perimeter having achamfered surface.
 14. The windshield wiper cover of claim 11, whereinthe wind deflector defines a windward side having a first surface areaand a leeward side having a second surface area, and wherein the size ofthe first surface area is similar to the size of the second surfacearea.
 15. The windshield wiper cover of claim 8, wherein the monolithicelongate body has at least one elastomeric region.
 16. The windshieldwiper cover of claim 8, further comprising a chamfer on the first andsecond elongate portions.
 17. A windshield wiper cover comprising: amonolithic elongate body comprising an integrated central collar, firstand second elongate portions extending from the integrated centralcollar, the first and second elongate portions having outer ends, andthe integrated central collar defining an interior passageway, theinterior passageway having a snap-fit tongue, and an end retainerdefined at the outer ends a portion of which extending laterally andinwardly to define a protrusion, the protrusion beginning at a firstdistance near, but longitudinally separated from the outer end, andending at a second distance near, but longitudinally separated from theother outer end; and a substantially planar skirt positioned on aperimeter of the first and second elongate portions of the elongatebody.
 18. The windshield wiper cover of claim 17, further comprising apair of substantially parallel longitudinal rails disposed along aninner surface of each of the first and second elongate portions, each ofthe rails extending from the integrated central collar to the outerends, the pair of rails defining a channel therebetween, the channeldimensioned to receive an elongate beam, the outer ends enclosingrespective ends of the channel.
 19. The windshield wiper cover of claim17, further comprising a sloped region between the integrated centralcollar and the first and second elongate portions.
 20. The windshieldwiper cover of claim 19, further comprising a substantially planar upperportion connected to the skirt.